Public Health and Welfare Committee 11/13/02

On Wednesday, November 13, 2002, the Public Health & Welfare Committee unanimously reported out the following bill:

HB 2196 PN 4405 (Allen) - Establishing the Shaken Baby Syndrome Education Act, which would require the Department of Health to provide to new parents educational information on the dangers of shaken baby syndrome and preventative methods designed to prelude shaking episodes.

The Public Health & Welfare Committee also reported out the following bills as amended:

SB 591 (Corman) - Creates the Psychologists Continuity of Care Act, which provides for the treatment of psychological problems in health care facilities by allowing hospitals to grant clinical privileges to licensed psychologists.

Amendment A5215 to SB 591 - Changes the definition of "clinical privileges" by eliminating references to working independently and admission and discharge privileges.

HB 1448 (Maitland) - This bill amends the Minors Consent Act by providing for a parent or legal guardian to consent to mental health treatment for a minor under 18 years of age without the minor's consent. If a minor receiving inpatient treatment objects, he or she has the right to file a petition in the court requesting a withdrawal or modification of treatment. Also, a minor under the age of 18 still has the right to consent to treatment for him or herself without the consent of a parent.

Amendment A5275 to HB 1448 - Provides for a periodic review of the appropriateness of inpatient treatment. Permits the person consenting to treatment to also consent to the release of the minor's medical records. And, requires each court of common pleas to report to the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts certain statistics related to treatment.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 9/24/02

The Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 and reported out the following bill as amended:

SB 1265 amends Title 20 of the Penssylvania Consolidated Statues by amending provisions related to advance directives for health care (living wills) and adding provisions creating comprehensive health care powers of attorney. This bill incorporates changes recommended by the Joint State Government Commission's Task Force and Advisory Committee on Decedents' Estate Laws.

Public Health and Welfare Committee 6/11/02

The Public Health & Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 and reported out the following bills as amended:

Senate Resolution 171, PN 1774 (Greenleaf) A resolution urging the Department of Health to develop a task force ti investigate the health effects of toxic mold. (A3212 Adds forest products and real estate agents as a representative of affect industry. A3088 provides November 30, 2002 as the date by which the task force must present its findings to the General Assembly.)

House Bill 1012, PN 3675 (Micozzie) Amends the Public Welfare Code by adding a new section that provides a personal needs allowance deduction from the gross income of a Medical Assistance eligible individual for the purpose of determining the cost of care while residing in a nursing facility. (A3144 provides for an increase in the personal needs allowance to not less than $45 per month in 2007.)

House Bill 1804, PN 3377 (Reinard) An Act that would establish the Pooled Trust Fund for persons with severe chronic disabilities by pooling resources contributed by families with persons with disabilities. (A3179 reinstates language from a prior printer's number and mirrors federal text.)

House Bill 150, PN 3891(Feese) Amends Titles 18 and 53 by further limiting access of minors to cigarettes by strengthening the penalties on retailers who sell to minors, making it an offense for minors to purchase tobacco products or falsely represent themselves as 18, banning cigarette vending machines in locations accessible to anyone under 18, and be creating new enforcement practices. (A3193 further provides for limitations of access.)

Public Health and Welfare Committee 4/16/02

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 and reported out the following bills:

SB 1324, PN 1781 (Earll) – Interstate Adoption Compact Act – Would permit the Department of Public Welfare to enter into a compact with other states for the purpose of streamlining the provision of Medical Assistance for adopted children whose families move from one state to another and have federally or state funded adoption assistance agreement.

SB 1371, PN 1848 (Mowery) - Federal Pharmacy Plus Program – This legislation directs the Department of Public Welfare is directed to file an application for the Commonwealth to participate in the Federal Pharmacy Plus program of the US Department of Health and human Services. The Pharmacy plus program allows states to expand Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries and other individuals with family incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.